Boys lacrosse teams showing progress

After agonizing through a winless inaugural season, Brick Memorial coach Guy Lassen said he would measure the progress of his boys lacrosse team this year in how it would narrow some of the lopsided losses to teams a year ago and turn close losses into victories.

It didn't take long for him to see that put into practice.

The Mustangs opened their season with a 4-3 victory over Brick Township in which Justin Mailloux scored in overtime. Brick Memorial twice rallied to tie the game at 2-2 and then forced the overtime at 3-3 on a goal by freshman Tom Lindquist with two minutes left.

"It was great to watch the kids celebrate after that. I felt bad for them last year," said Lassen. "We're just trying to stay competitive every game."

And that approach worked again recently when the Mustangs routed Marlboro, 9-3, as Mailloux and Matt Parker each had a hat trick. Mailloux leads the team with six goals. Mike Jurkowski, Will Wilson and Jesse Kirkut had the other goals. Quinn Heald sealed the victory in goal with defensive help from freshmen Dan Lamela and Nick Alvarez, who have played consistently well.

The victory evened Brick Memorial's record to 2-2 before it lost its next game to Toms River North, 14-2, coming into this week's action. The earlier losses were to Howell, 6-3, and Colts Neck, 11-0.

It leaves the team after five games in an interesting situation of still being in contention for an NJSIAA Tournament berth.

Brick Township, meanwhile, is "playing much better than we started off," said coach Steve Maurelli, whose team is 1-4. "We're working more on the team concept, working more for assists."

Lassen said the same thing in that aspect, commenting that "we have almost as many assists now that we did all of last season."

Brick Township had a tight 4-2 loss to Jackson, the Shore Conference co-champion with Toms River North last season, and also lost to Toms River East, 11-3, and Marlboro, 8-6, and beat Barnegat, 12-4.

Maurelli said goalie Noah Morris "made some spectacular saves" against Jackson while Ken Brancaccio's seven goals leads a balanced scoring attack that includes James Murphy and Ken Bogart. Tim Firrman also has helped the attack.

"The biggest improvement is our passing and looking for teammates," said Maurelli, who said that defensively, David Ege "has definitely stepped it up since last year." He also praised Scott Davis on defense.

- Wayne Witkoswki